The City of Newton is beginning to see rentals of the historic depot return after the county was removed from more restrictive regulations by Gov. Tate Reeves.
At the end of May, Reeves removed Newton County from a list of counties that were experiencing some of the highest per capita coronavirus case increases in the state. Now that the restriction of public gatherings has been increased to a maximum of 50 people indoors if proper social distancing is practiced, the city is beginning to see fewer cancellations.
As a practice, city attorney Brian Mayo said they will begin asking renters to estimate how many guests they plan to have to make sure that proper social distancing is practiced.
Parks and recreation director Jay Powell said they’ve had one renter cancel for June 20, but a birthday party for 30-50 people is already scheduled for July 13.
“I think the depot is large enough to safely have about 50 people practicing social distancing,” Powell said.
As of Monday, Newton County has 301 Covid-19 cases since March 11 with five deaths. However, that number has only increased by 19 since the June 2 board of aldermen meeting.
While the city is beginning to reopen, Mayo said that city hall and the parks will remain closed at this time unless the board wants to take action to reopen the parks. The main reason why city hall is closed was due to the $1 million renovation project currently underway.
Water customers will have until June 15 to get current on their water bills after there were no disconnections for the last three months. If the bills are unpaid after that date, the customer is in danger of disconnection and a $35 disconnect fee.
In related matters, the board of aldermen approved a revised city water ordinance to reflect changes that the board wanted to see, which included language about disconnection fees. Now, disconnect fees will not be issued until the customer’s water has been cut off instead of being issued the disconnect fee on the next business day after the 15th.
The board also hired Pete Pierman and Carlisa Taylor as a full-time police officers at the rate of $14 per hour. Hiring decisions on three other officers were tabled until the a future meeting after the board of aldermen spend over an hour in executive session discussing “personnel matters.”
Other items approved included:
• Change order No. 2 for the city hall project in the amount of $2,785.49.
• Payment of $140,071.04 to D&H Construction on the city hall project.
• Purchasing a one-eighth page ad in the Newton County Appeal’s Hometown Heroes section for $150.
• Chose voting delegates for the MML Conference.
• Purchased legal in the Meridian Star for $129.94.
• Rescinded purchase of land from Spirit Realty.
• Amended its state of emergency resolution.
• Payment of $152 annually to Eastern Aviation for the yearly TRIA coverage.
• Will close City Hall for Independence Day on July 3.
• Approved the retirement of Donald McClelland effective May 30.
• Hired Samuel Wheaton in the sanitation department at the rate of $9.50 per hour and will raise it to $10 per hour when he receives his Class A license.
• Extended the contract for a John Deere tractor for 48 months at an interest rate of 3.89 percent.
• Approved leasing for the purchase of a Caterpillar dozer and excavator through Bancorp South for interest rates of 2.39 percent for 36 months, 2.44 percent for 48 months and 2.49 percent for 60 months.
• Paid Puckett Machinery $3,509.75 for a tractor and $3,534.50 for the excavator as reimbursements.
• Paid the claims docket totaling $112.225.94.
